Rio’s England hopes looking bleak

Premier League / 8 February 2013, 2:35pm

SAM WALLACE

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 10: Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United celebrates at the end of the Barclays Premier league match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park on November 10, 2012 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Dublin – Roy Hodgson has closed the door on a return to the England team for Rio Ferdinand, in spite of the continuing problems the side are experiencing in central defence, including Gary Cahill's error against Brazil.

Ferdinand, 34, has never been selected by Hodgson. The Manchester United defender has started seven of his club's last 10 Premier League games. Asked whether Ferdinand, who last played for England in June 2011, might one day play for England again, Hodgson said after Wednesday's 2-1 win: “I'm not going to talk about Rio. Every other day I have to answer questions about Rio. We've just beaten Brazil for the first time in God knows how many years.”

Hodgson backed Chris Smalling to play a key role in England's future as a ball-playing centre-back. “He played on the left side (against Brazil) but if you play him on the right he's not lacking ability on the ball and neither is Gary Cahill. You're being unfair to them to suggest they can't do that.

“We're not talking lower league. We're talking international football, England against Brazil and some of the so-called very, very best players in the world. So whoever you would play would have problems.”

After years of searching, England may have found their perfect midfield mix. Jack Wilshere certainly thought so after inspiring the win. He played alongside Tom Cleverley with Steven Gerrard directing play from behind. It worked perfectly.

“I think we've got a good blend in midfield now,” Wilshere said. “You've got Stevie who is playing the holding role. He did it brilliantly.”

The three of them helped England to control midfield against strong opposition in a way not seen for some time. “The formation helped,” explained Wilshere. “4-3-3 suits my game and suits the other players better. If we get that side right, we can dominate a midfield and we showed that tonight.”

It was only Wilshere's seventh England cap and he relished playing with Gerrard and Frank Lampard, who came on at half-time for Cleverley.”It's great having them alongside me. I used to come to Wembley to watch them, so to play with them is a dream come true.” – The Independent